It was a humbling, yet rewarding experience.
Hiking the 26 miles of the Grand Canyon, Arizona.
North Rim to South Rim.
Shot on Olympus OM10 with Superia Xtra 400.
Pops. It still doesn’t feel real that you’re gone. You were a great man, and a role model to many. Everywhere I went, everyone knew who “Mr Small” was. They’d ask me “how’s Mr Small doing?” You were a resilient man who had a memorable impact on the lives you touched. A faithful husband and father to two amazing kids, 4 grandkids, and one great grandson, although I will always be your “favorite grandson”. Anytime anyone, friend or family needed anything, you were there. A man who would literally give you the shirt off his back. You basically raised me, as my father. You taught me everything a man ought to know. How to swim, how to ride a ride a bike, how to use a wrench and hammer, How to save and be financially responsible, and the list goes on. I still remember how you used to take us to get thrifty ice cream every friday after school, carpinteria beach camping and bike rides, sand storms at dumont dunes, how I’d call you to diffuse everytime I fought with my mom, that one Christmas where I thought I didn’t get a gift, and you told me to grab something from the garage and behold a brand new bike. You’d always help me find the best deal possible, anytime I needed to make any kind of purchase in life. I am going to miss calling the “bank of Fred” any time I needed a loan, watching tv with you on the couch, and all the leftover steak n’ onion sandwiches. So many precious memories that I will forever hold dearly. I’ll be wearing a Hawaiian T-shirt and shorts to remember your life, just like you always wanted me too. I wish I could come over “just to say hi” one more time. Say hi to grams for me, and I hope and pray I’ll get to see you in heaven again one day. Rest In Peace Papa. Thank you you everything. January 13th 1934 - June 7th, 2022.
So I’ve been MIA the last 8 days, just finished hiking the HST, 72.2 miles and summiting Mount Whitney for a second time at 14,400 feet. Thanks for the letting me join you guys. What an awesome experience.
I still remember the first time you taught me how to bowl, I never wanted to listen to your instructions and when I finally did I got my first strike. Or when I was a little older, you showed me how to make iced coffee with left over coffee from the morning. I’ll always remember no matter how old we got, you always got us little gifts for all the holidays. You were a strong woman, who loved Mickey Mouse, and loved to share and teach your grandkids every chance you got. You were a loving wife to your husband. You lived a life most people dream of, traveling and going on adventures, while raising two strong and awesome kids. I hope one day I can look back and have a lived a life like you did. Thank God for the time I got to share with you while you were here, and I’ll see you again in Heaven one day. R.I.P Grams. February 19, 1938 to March 6th, 2020. You will be missed.
It’s very sad what happened to Kobe, his daughter and others affected in today’s tragic loss. It’s also crazy to think that some one who I didn’t know personally has had such an impact on my life. One of my first projects in elementary school I can remember was a biography on Kobe Bryant. It was because of him that I was inspired to play basketball and my love for the game of basketball began to grow. I have a lot of memories being a Lakers fan back in the Kobe/Shaq era, as I learned a lot about the game of basketball and life in general. He was a legendary basketball player on the court, and an inspiring human off the court. He taught me to never give up. Thank you Kobe. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family. Thank you God for giving us Kobe and may he rest in peace.
